Looking for better options to liven up your pet's dinner bowl? You can actually indulge them with "people" food. Below are few easily obtainable food options you can find in your nearby grocery store.
1. Banana
Banana is known for its high potassium content. Potassium is therefore good for the muscles, blood vessels, and in regulating the function and acidity of the fluids in out body. Banana also contains finer which can come in handy in managing dog diarrhea or constipation. It also has magnesium which plays an important role in transporting energy and building protein in the body. Bananas are known to have high pyrodixine or Vitamin B6 content which helps in metabolizing proteins and regulating the function of cells in the blood to allow more oxygen in the brain and the muscles. Banana also has Vitamin C which is a known antioxidant that protects cells from damage and aids in building cartilage.
How to prepare:
Mix a mashed banana in your dog's food. Compounds contained in banana may cause a smell which may be offensive to some dogs.
2. Rutabaga
Rutabaga is a vegetable similar to a turnip. Oftentimes, it is ignored by many and few are aware of its benefits. Rutabaga is usually boiled and mashed. It thrives all year-round in most grocery stores. The vegetable contains high levels of Vitamin C and potassium. It also has high contents of carotenoids which are precursors of Vitamin A. They are important in maintaining good eye health and activation of the DNA in cells. Aside from that, they also serve important functions in the immune system.
How to prepare: Peel, and boil the rutabaga. Mash the vegetable while adding a bit of olive oil or safflower- these oils does not cause any harm to dogs. In fact, they can provide them the necessary fats and tolerate them better than humans.
3. Sweet Potato
Potatoes are rich in nutrients like Vitamin C and carotenoids. Additionally it also contains phytochemicals and antioxidants. Sweet Potatoes are high in potassium, fiber, magnesium and pyrodixine. It is also a good source of copper, manganese, and iron- these are all essential in the proper function of the cells including oxygen transport and assembly of proteins.
How to prepare: Boil, mash and add a minimum amount of oil.
4. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are small seeds popular for their alpha linolenic acid (ALA) content. ALA is good for the coat, bone, skin and brain function. It is also high in lignans and finer which has proven benefits in insulin action. These fibres have also proven to be excellent sources of magnesium, copper, phosphorus, manganese, and pyridoxine. Flaxseeds have also proven to contain Vitamin B folate which play a crucial role in regulation of cell function.
How to prepare: Grind them until crunchy and nutty. Flaxseed oil, which contain more concentrated amounts of ALA, is also available in the market. Add the ground seeds or a small amount of oil to your dog's meal.
It is important to store flaxseeds in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness.
5. Yogurt
Probiotics, or good bacteria, are essential in keeping the bad ones away. Yogurt is an example of a good source of active cultures that can aid in improving gut function. It contains various nutrients such as calcium, protein, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, zinc, and Vitamin B12. Aside from that, it is also a good source of riboflavin and pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is essential in enzyamtic actions and energy production that maintain the functions of cells.
How to prepare: An amount of non-fat yogurt is a good addition to disguise the presence increase palatability of medicines.
